VOLUME 70 | ISSUE 3 September 27, 2017
THE TSU HERALD
LIVING LEGENDS
EDITORS NOTE
The TSU Herald staff is looking for contributing writers
EDITORIAL STAFF Todd Travon Rogers EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Paige Hubbard MANAGING EDITOR
This issue is dedicated to all of the legends that have tripped on one of the bricks strolling to class on the Tiger Walk, or who have happened to fall in love with their college sweetheart while matriculating through Texas Southern Univerisity. This issue especially highlights the greats like our living legend Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, his mentees Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, the talented John Biggers…Michael Strahan… Yolanda Adams…you. My hope is that while you’re here you will use this issue of the TSU Herald as your launching pad to discover all of the great history of your university. Many times, you will hear in the news about how bad, or worst off we are than to school next door, but do you know you are taking classes on land that has bred so many influencers. You could be next. If you’re curious visit the Heartman Collection in the University Library, or the University Museum to uncover the best stories about TSU.
Nicole Tall ASSOCIATE EDITOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Tasha Poullard Jabari Sherman Brandon Aninipot Kendrick Davis Kyndra Snoddy Wesley Harris III PHOTOGRAPHERS Mikol Kindle Jr. Kordell Tilley Josie Deese Akayla Harris GRAPHIC DESIGNER Tiyosha Turner PUBLICATIONS MANAGER
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The TSU Herald is published by the students of Texas Southern University. Opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the administration. The newspaper is printed biweekly, except during holidays and examination periods.
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CHECK OUT OUR LAST ISIn our second issue “HOMETOWN HEROES” we discuss the city’s efforts to relieve Hurricane Harvey victims. We want to hear from you!
Send your ideas and comments to:
tsu.heraldeditor@gmail.com and we’ll respond in our next issue. The digital version of “HOMETOWN HEROES” is now available at issuu.com
Dr. Thomas F. Freeman receives Congressional Black Caucus Phoenix Award in Washington D.C.
HBCU BUZZ
Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, iconic TSU professor and Debate Team head coach emeritus, received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s (CBCF) highest honor on September 23 in Washington DC. Dr. Freeman was presented with The Phoenix Award and recognized for his profound influence on our nation as a legendary educator and prolific scholar. His long-standing commitment to improving the quality of life for African-American students was the basis of the award. Civil Rights pioneer Ruby Bridges was another Phoenix Award recipient.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE MISTER AND MISS RESIDENTIAL LIFE AND HOUSING PAGEANT KHARI DAVIS & THERESA BARRETT
The Phoenix award is presented by the CBCF to individuals whose extraordinary achievements strengthen communities and improve the lives of individuals, families and communities, both nationally and globally.
Contributors this Issue
BRANDON ANINIPOT
WESLEY HARRIS III
Freshman BRANDON ANINIPOT is a California native majoring in radio, television, and film. He has previous background with the Black Press, contributing to the Oakland Post and is currently shooting for a podcast.
WESLEY HARRIS III is a senior broadcast major and former debate team president. Harris has honed his skills in front of the camera as a former FOX 26 intern and will be graduating in December.
Contributing Writer
Contributing Writer
3
CAMPUS LIFE
TSU Health & Wellness Fair
The Department of Recreation Services and Division of Student Services hosted the 2017 TSU Health and Wellness Fair on Wednesday, September 20 at the Rec Center. All proceeds from the $2 Dunk Tank went to Hurricane Harvey relief. Photos by Mikol Kindle Jr.
Welcome to the Tigress Den
70th Miss Texas Southern University and the Royal Court hosted “Welcome to the Tigress Den” slumber party on September 20, 2017 in the University Towers café. Photos courtesy of TSU Royal Court
Clockwise from top: Vice-President of Student Services Dr. Raphael Moffett, Students take turns aiming for their target. All proceeds were donated to aid in the relief of hurricane victims.
Above clockwise from left to right: TSU Royal Court Queens; Miss Sophomore Janai Washington-DeMiemar, SGA Executive Vice-President Kaelin Norris, Miss Freshman Kaleigh Davis, Miss Junior Jaida Lewis, Miss Senior Blessing Nwoso, and 70th Miss Texas Southern Tramauni Brock. 4
CAMPUS LIFE THE TSU HERALD IS LOOKING TO FEATURE MORE STUDENT EXPERIENCES Send your story to tsu.heraldeditor@gmail.com
In the “HOMETOWN HEROES” issue, the TSU Herald staff reported that freshmen singer, Siete Seven won over the crowd during the freshmen week talent show in 2016 – the talent show actually occurred on August 23, 2017.
Chemistry Major Develops a Natural Haircare Line By Paige Hubbard Managing Editor
Freshman chemistry major Arielle Dixon went natural and said goodbye to the “creamy crack” also known as perm in the 7th grade after noticing hair thinning due to the frequent relaxer treatment. Dixon knew it was time to make a change when she began researching articles on natural hair care which helped her hair transition. “Having two different textures of hair is not easy to deal with it. It’s was difficult
but I got worked through it,” ural hair which in turn made it Dixon said. more comfortable for Dixon to embrace her own. Dixon attended a predominately white school be- “You just have to grow fore enrolling at Texas South- tough skin. As I get older the ern University. She was one world does not get easier, of 34 Black students in her things come up and I just have graduating class of 117. to face it,” Dixon said. Dixon said she didn’t feel ac- Dixon said she’s been cepted after teachers made shaped by her past expericomments about her hair be- ences and being embraced by ing “too big.” her classmates and creating a community around hair has This comment launched motivated her to launch her a movement amongst her own hair care products. peers. Most of all the young Black women in her class The chemistry major started to embrace their nat- said she uses different prod-
ucts like avocado and coconut oil to help define her soft curls. “I want to join the KINKS club on campus to introduce them to my product and collaborate with other women who are natural,” Dixon said. Dixon said she encourages anyone that is looking to start their own business. “It’s not easy, but if you have a strong passion about something, stick to it,” Dixon said, “because it will all be worth it in the long run.” 5
LIVING LEGEND
A GUIDING LIGHT: FREEMAN CONTINUES TO BE A BEACON OF EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT FOR STUDENTS By Wesley Harris III Contributing Writer
When you reflect on Texas Southern University and the impact the it has made as a historically Black college over the years you have to reference the great debaters and the legacy of Dr. Thomas F. Freeman.
Freeman has been at TSU for nearly 69 years as a philosophy professor and founder of the Texas Southern University Debate Team. Freeman continues to change the perceptions of TSU students one word at a time. Freeman teaches students vocal and life skills to help gain confidence in the art of public speaking, and most importantly he teaches students skills to help leave a legacy of their own. The debate coach said, “what do Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland and Martin Luther King J.R. have in common, the answer will be, they have Dr. Thomas F. Freeman.” Freeman joined the University in 1949, when it was Texas State College for Negros, and at the request of four students he agreed to coach the Debate Team. 6
“Houston has been
Photos courtesy of TSU Herald Archives
my home ever since. I realized my work in Virginia was complete, and this is what God wanted me to do,” Freeman said.
“I feel that my efforts have not been in vain,” said freeman, who turned 8 on July 27th. “I’m thrilled that the opportunities have been provided One of his first stu- for me to continue to work dents was Barbara Jordan, worth students.” who later became the first Black person elected to In 2007 Academythe Texas Senate and the Award winning actor Denfirst southern Black female zel Washington sought elected to the U.S. House Freeman as a consultant of Representatives. for the movie ‘The Great Debaters’ to train the cast; In 1956 Jordan, Otis King and as a result, Washingwho was the first black ton spoke highly of Freecity attorney in Houston, man on every platform he and George Thomas “Mick- had, such as the Oprah ey Leland” later a U.S. con- Winfrey Show. gressman, beat Harvard’s debate team. In 2009, the Thomas
F. Freeman Honors College was established at Texas southern University named after Freeman for his unwavering passion for high standards, Freeman is its founding dean. Today Freeman continues to open his door to students. The debate office is located in the Education Building Building suite 112. There you will be able to find hundreds of first place debate awards and pictures the team has accumulated for over 60 years.
LIVING LEGEND Founder’s Day, originally recognized on March 3, 1947, was later altered due to the rich history of Texas Southern University (TSU). What began as a $2,800 loan, the Houston Public School District agreed to fund two segregated community colleges, thus the Houston Colored Junior College was born in 1927.
The Debate Team Offices
are located in the
Education Building 112
“The trophies mean very little,” he said “the trophies are symbols of the achievements of students under guidance and direction. They represent much effort much more than you think when you look at the trophies.”
In 1934, the school was changed to a four year college and birthed a new name, Houston College for Negroes. The college added a Graduate Program in 1943 and grew to obtain 53-acres in the Third Ward District of Houston with help of philanthropist Hugh Roy Cullen. Originally located in Jack Yates High School, the college raised enough money to construct its first building, the T.M. Fairchild Building in 1946.
The current head coach of the team is Dr. Gloria Batiste Roberts who continues to maintain the success, standard, and legacy of the team, by working side by side with Freeman.
When mail carrier Marion Sweatt was denied admission to the University of Texas Law School, he filed a lawsuit with the help of NAACP that was passed by the Texas Legislature to provide an establishment for a Negro law school in Houston. Texas lawmakers initially looked to place to school at Prairie View A&M, but the decision was made to use Houston College for Negroes as its founding site.
“He sees so much potential in students who don’t see the potential in themselves,” said Roberts.
Placed in the heart of a large and fast growing Black population, the Senate Bill 140 and House Bill 788 created a Negro college on the same level as University of Texas in Austin based on the separate but equal concept.
Freeman declares he has no plans to slow down. For more than sixty years in addition to coaching debate, being a professor, devoted husband, and father he has also continues serve Mount Horeb Baptist Church as their pastor for more than sixty years. “I’m available for service,” he said, “and as long as my health is sustained and I’m able to do it, I will answer the call to service.” Top to bottom: The TSU Debate team have always been global award winners, Freeman has been a mentor for students over 60 years, Gloria Batiste Roberts was once a student of Dr. Freeman and a debate champ.
In 1947, the school opened with 2,300 students and the two schools, one division and one college - the Law School, the Pharmacy School, the Vocational Division, and the College of Arts and Sciences. By 195,1 the students had petitioned to change the name of the school and remove the “for Negroes” and Texas Southern University was born. Currently, Texas Southern University is staffed by approximately 1,000 faculty members and support personnel. More than 9,500 students, representing ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds, are currently enrolled at the university. 7
TIGER CLASSIFIEDS
This week the TSU Herald staff is highlighting the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) and their current president Goodluck Ijezie-Desbois. NSCS is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 on the campus of George Washington University. The organization provides career and graduate school connections, service opportunities, and annual scholarship. The members of NSCS are deeply committed to its values. nscs.tsu.chapter@gmail.com GOODLUCK IJEZIE-DESBOIS Classification: Senior – Pharmacy Program Hometown: Houston Graduation: May 2020
“What we do, we do well. What we don’t do well, we don’t do at all!”
DATES TO REMEMBER PARIS NOIR STUDY ABROAD STUDENT REFLECTIONS September 27, 2017 10:30AM MUSEUM FRESHMEN ROCK THE HOUSE September 27, 2017 6PM SAWYER 2017 TIGER CAREER FAIR September 28, 2017 10AM REC CENTER THE DAWN OF A NEW REIGN 2017 TSU Coronation October 7, 2017 7:30PM BALLROOM HOMECOMING WEEK 2017 TIGER DYNASTY October 9-14, 2017 VETERANS DAY Campus-wide Holiday November 10, 2017 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY November 23-25, 2017 LABOR DAY CLASSIC Thanksgiving
TALK ON THE WALK IS SEARCHING FOR HOSTS HIGH-ENERGY CHARISMATIC CAMERA FRIENDLY Contact Tyler Doggett tydoggetttsu@gmail.com TSU COLLEGIATE 100 PRESENTS CAN YOU PROTECT THE BRAND? OCTOBER 4, 2017 @7PM TIGER ROOM
WHIPPED LASHED BY V Licensed Lash Technician SPECIAL PRICING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS Contact Vickie: 214-966-6354
THE 2017-2018
HOMECOMING COMMITTEE TOWNHALL MEETING TUESDAYS @12PM SSLC 220
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